Thanksgiving is near and I often think of how did my ancestors celebrate this holiday. Those from Africa, those from England, and other places. Did any traditions come with them? My immediate families are in various states and I miss them all dearly. There are some that I do not know or never met due to the distances between us. But, I love those on social media. I can keep up with my adult children from Florida to Japan. I love looking at my first cousins in Michigan sharing photos of their grandchildren. This gives me a chance to connect and also share my genealogical research to those interested. I wonder if they celebrate as I know it? My mom set our traditions and of course and I continue to honor them. Mom would of set forth what she had experienced in her childhood and my children will do the same. Holiday traditions do get handed down generation by generation. We have the usual, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and either a turkey or tofu loaf as in my case. Well this year I am changing it up with a lentil loaf, with a side dish of brussel sprouts hanging with sweet potatoes and cranberries. Oh let me not forget to mention the four different kinds of pies. What are you having this year…are you changing it up a bit?

My best wish for all is to enjoy the time they will have with their family and friends this holiday season. Not all will enjoy as well as others will. Enjoy a couple of family photos! One is from 1957 and I am five years old and the next photo is with my children and one of my older brothers in 2016.

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About familytreegirl

Shelley Murphy, aka “familytreegirl”, a native of Michigan residing in Central Virginia, Shelley has been an avid genealogist for over 25+ years researching the Davis, Marsh, Goens/Goins/Goings, Roper, Boyer, Worden, Cureton, and Murphy family lines. She is a Coordinator and faculty for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI), presents Genealogy 101 workshops at the local community college, state and national genealogy conferences. She holds a Doctorate of Management in Organizational Leadership and works as an adjunct professor for Averett University.
Murphy is known for her inspiring and interactive “Getting Started” Methods and Strategies for genealogy research, “Time and File management” along with interesting problem-solving methodology lectures. Shelley currently has 20+ publications with Charlottesville Genealogy Examiner and the Central Virginia Heritage, a publication of the Central Virginia Genealogical Association. She is an instructor for the Midwest African American Genealogy Institute (MAAGI).
Doctor of Management in Organizational Leadership, Adjunct Professor, Professional Genealogist. Volunteers for American Red Cross as a Disaster Services Instructor, facilitates financial education workshops for the last 8 years, and former licensed Real Estate Broker

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.” Teaching children values and giving them the opportunity to excel is essential to good parenting. However, I feel I must also provide my children (and myself) insight into the ones who came before us: our ancestors whose lives and stories have shaped us into who we are. This is my journey; these are their stories…

“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: One is roots, the other is wings.” Teaching children values and giving them the opportunity to excel is essential to good parenting. However, I feel I must also provide my children (and myself) insight into the ones who came before us: our ancestors whose lives and stories have shaped us into who we are. This is my journey; these are their stories…